On 19 April 2019, an online publication, The Malawi 24, reported that the Federation Disability Organizations in Malawi (FEDOMA), had asked communities to know and prepare for the risks that can harm people with disabilities particularly during disasters..

The Malawi 24, quoted the FEDOMA Head of Programs Symon Munde urging the communities to always keep in mind that people with disabilities were prone to risks whenever disaster strikes and asked for protection during the time.

He was speaking at at Annual General Meeting for Association Environmental Journalists (EAJ) in Blantyre, Malawi. AEJ conducted 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Media awards on Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) in Blantyre from Thursday to Saturday under the theme “Greening the Media for a Resilient Malawi.”

Accorng the online publication, during the activities, media practitioners were trained on environmental issues such as mines, electricity, water, crops and trees. During the night of Friday, AEJ presented awards to journalists who reported environmental based stories very impressively.

“Family members should put different measures that can mitigate the problem when it occurs, we are therefore working hand in hand with the department of disaster management affairs and even with district officers as well as conducting inclusion participation with other stakeholders,” Munde is quoted as saying.

FEDOMA, in partnership CBM, Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA), and the Department of Disability and Elderly Affairs (DDEA) have been working to promote ageing and disability mainstreaming in emergency response while directly responding to specific needs of persons with disabilities. This twin-track approach will enable access to basic needs in an equitable, dignified and autonomous way.

The guide provides practical advice for mainstream disability-inclusion in DRR actors and duty bearers. Persons with disabilities are already experts in managing disaster risk in their everyday lives, hence, incorporating their needs into DRR should come naturally.